Pocono News Section

Historic Church Closes Its Doors in Hazleton

Historic Church Closes Its Doors in Hazleton - Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 9:07PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 @ 09:07pm EST
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY - The first, and only, Tyrolean Roman Catholic Church in the United States held its final mass Sunday afternoon.

Parishoners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Hazleton said a final farewell to their place of worship Sunday. The church is 104 years old and many people say the congregation has been a part of their entire lives.

"Oh, it's very sad. I'm here since I was baptized so I'm here a long time. I received first holy communion, confirmation and my son was in school here until it closed," parishoner Marjorie Jugan said.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel was founded in 1905. It produced 13 priests and three nuns while it was open.